Someone Just Dropped $245,000 on a 2005 Acura NSX-T
‘S’ might as well stand for ‘sayonara,’ because the limited-edition Type S is sending the current-gen Acura NSX out with a bang. But don’t despair, because the NSX is coming back. However, while there’s no demise worth despairing, there might be something else. While the later versions of the original NSX aren’t technically classics yet, they, like many other almost-classic supercars are going up in value. But there’s appreciation and then there’s over-spending. So, which category does the 2005 Acura NSX-T that recently sold on Bring a Trailer for $245,000 belong to?
2005 was the end of the OG Acura NSX and the Targa-roofed NSX-T
| 2005 Acura NSX-T | |
| Engines | Manual: Mid-mounted 3.2-liter V6 Automatic: Mid-mounted 3.0-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 3.2-liter: 290 hp 3.0-liter: 252 hp |
| Torque | 3.2-liter: 224 lb-ft 3.0-liter: 210 lb-ft |
| Transmissions | Six-speed manual Four-speed automatic |
| Curb weight | Manual: 3153 lbs Automatic: 3197 lbs |
| 0-60 mph time | 5.0 seconds (manual, Car and Driver) |
When it debuted in 1991, the original Acura NSX was a genuine supercar revelation. True, its 270-hp 3.0-liter V6 wasn’t the peak of exotic horsepower, but it was just as reliable as the versions found in other contemporary Hondas. Also, with its lightweight aluminum chassis and mid-engine layout, the NSX didn’t need massive power to be fun to drive. More to the point, it was easy to live with, even if you didn’t get the optional automatic transmission.
However, these plus points didn’t stop Acura from updating the NSX periodically. Its first big update came in 1995 when Acura introduced a Targa-roofed model, the NSX-T. The V6 switched to a drive-by-wire throttle then, too. A six-speed manual came in 1997, as did a standard limited-slip differential. But more importantly from a performance perspective, that’s also when Acura gave the NSX and NSX-T a bigger 3.2-liter V6 and larger brakes, Hagerty reports.
More tweaks came in the years that followed, including sharper, more hardcore trims like the Type R and the Alex Zanardi Edition. And eventually, the NSX-T proved so popular that Acura made it the only body style starting in 2002. Acura also gave its supercar a thicker rear sway bar, stiffer front springs, and wider rear wheels and tires that year, Car and Driver adds.
Unfortunately, all these updates couldn’t disguise the fact that by 2005, the Acura NSX-T was showing its age. And by then, it was a near-$100,000 car with low sales. So, rather than spend millions developing a successor, Honda canceled it, Road & Track explains. But though the 2005 Acura NSX-T was in some ways “long in the tooth,” it was still a fun, reliable, easy-to-drive supercar. No wonder one first-gen NSX owner put 400,000 miles on their car.
The Bring a Trailer $245,000 2005 Acura NSX-T isn’t a record, but it’s close
Although high-mileage NSXs aren’t unheard-of, that’s not the kind of car the 2005 Acura NSX-T that recently sold on Bring a Trailer is. When the winning bidder paid $245,000 for it, it had less than 15,600 miles on the clock.
That $245,000 figure isn’t technically an outright record for an NSX, R&T notes. That honor belongs to the very last US-market Alex Zanardi Edition; it sold on BaT in 2020 for $277,017. However, this 2005 Acura NSX-T is now officially the most expensive non-special-edition first-gen NSX ever sold on BaT. And keep in mind, a good-condition 2005 NSX-T typically sells for about $83K, Hagerty says. Even a pristine manual example usually tops out at $186,000.
So, why did this 2005 Acura NSX-T go for so much? Low mileage undoubtedly played a part, as did its near-flawless condition. Plus, it has some desirable period features, such as a Bose CD changer, and is 100% original. Also, while it’s not a special-edition model, this 2005 NSX has a rare color combination. Acura only built three 2005 NSXs with an orange exterior and orange-leather interior. In other words, finding another NSX-T like this isn’t easy.
Was this NSX-T worth it?
Objectively, this 2005 Acura NSX-T was arguably overpriced. It sold for almost one-third more than the average Concours-level example. Furthermore, $245,000 is about $75,000 more than what the new NSX Type S costs. That’s a lot of cash for what essentially boils down to a color combo.
Still, someone paid that much money for this supercar. So, to them, it must’ve been worth it. And it’s worth noting that just last month, a blue 9300-mile 2003 Acura NSX-T sold for $205,000 on BaT. So, maybe this 2005 car is just a sign of things to come.
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